Wesli Wins His Second Félix: “Makaya” Takes Haitian Roots to the Top of Global Music

Montreal (Canada), November 6, 2026. “With my trophy!” The photo, posted by Wesli himself the day after the gala, says it all: red hat, white glasses and the Félix in hand, in front of the ADISQ Premier Gala backdrop. On November 4, at MTELUS, the Montreal singer-songwriter of Haitian origin won the Album of the Year — Global Music Félix for Makaya, his seventh album.

A second Félix, won “at home”

Wesli is no stranger to trophies — a JUNO Award, a Charles Cros Academy prize, a Félix in 2019 for Rapadou Kreyol — but this one tastes special: it was won “at home”, in Montreal, the city that welcomed him. And it crowns a body of work entirely turned towards the roots of Haiti, from ceremonial drums to the big stages of Quebec.

“Receiving this award is a recognition that touches me deeply. It shows the contribution of the Haitian community to francophone culture in Quebec.” — Wesli, receiving his Félix

Makaya, the healing leaf

Makaya, named after a mountain range in southern Haiti, is a 24-track journey into the heart of traditions: vodou drums, rara, Banda, Petro, Nago, Congo and Yanvalou rhythms, married to today's sounds. The album was released on November 18, 2025. In Kikongo, “Makaya” means “leaf” — a symbol of healing, purification and renewal. A whole program for an artist who makes music a bridge between Haiti and Quebec.